Brooks Adrenaline ASR 10 (Fall 2013)

11.2 oz | 12mm drop | $125 | brooksrunning.com

The Dirt: A trail-ified version of Brooks’ most popular, stability road shoe, the Adrenaline ASR pairs a supportive midsole for pronation control with a grippy outsole.

Proclaimed a “workhorse built for the long haul rather than a sprint” by one tester, the Adrenaline ASR features an articulated crash pad to absorb shock during hard-pounding efforts. Though the (biodegradable!) midsole is a bit stiff out-of-box, it breaks in quickly.

For an extra $10, you can upgrade to a Gore-Tex version.

Best For: Medium-to-long-distance runs for the runner who wants a more structured, supportive shoe.

Traction: Excellent in dry conditions, on everything from hardpack to rocky ground—but suffers on wet grass and rocks.

Fit: True to size with a roomy toebox; the arch support is great for flat feet.

The Downsides: In the age of extremely lightweight shoes, some testers found the Adrenaline ASR a bit clunky, particularly when wet.

Tester-Monial: ““The cushioning seems to be right on the mark from the Goldilocks perspective: not too cushy, not too hard, but just right.” –Steph Jeffries, Raleigh, NC